l."

"You mean the snow?"

"Yes. A horse can carry you through to-night; to-morrow, if this keeps
up, the poor brute would have his work cut out to get through alone.
If you'll help yourself and see that your clothes are good and dry I'll
go out and get the horses ready."

"Horses? You are going with me?"

"No," he said emphatically. "I haven't been going to Mr. Leland's home
for a long time. After what I have learned to-night I suppose that
I'll never go there again. I am going to send Dart with you."

"What have you learned?" she asked quickly. "You mean what I have told
you?"

"No. It is something which I am afraid I can't talk about just yet,
Miss Strawn. Now, if you will excuse me a minute?"

He went down to the stable, saw that both Helga's horse and Old Bots
had a feeding of barley, and fed his own saddle animal.

"I'll have to fight my way out on webs tomorrow," he mused. "I can
lead you until we get across the ridge where the snow will be lighter."

Then he went to Dart in the bunk house.

"Dart," he called abruptly, "you'd better come up to the house and get
something to eat. Then you've got to get ready to ride."

"Ride?" demanded Dart, a little anxiously. "You mean me and Old Bots
and the chariot?"

"You can't make it," Shandon told him positively. "I don't know how
you managed to get back from the Echo Creek with the cart. You'll have
to go on horseback now, whether you like it or not."

"Where am I going, Chief?"

"To the Leland's. Miss Hazleton is going back and I want you to go
with her. You'd have to go in the morning anyway and it will be easier
if you go right away. And I want you to do something for me."

"Love's little messenger again?" grinned Dart. "Gee, Red, I'm turning
into a regular carrier pigeon."

"I am going to write a short note to Miss Leland," Shandon went on
quietly. "I want you to give it to her to-night. And I don't want
anybody to see you do it. Will you do that for me?"

"Did I ever turn a pal down?" reproachfully. "But, say, Red; I'm just
healed up good from my ride in here last summer. Can't I walk?"

Shandon laughed and the two men hurried together back to the house.
Helga, who was still eating, looked up at them with frank curiosity as
they came in. Her eyes rested longest upon Dart; her contempt for him
had passed or else she had resolved to hide it and appear friendly.
Through the brief meal he strove constantly to be entertaining,